Nintendo Famicom Disk System / FDS Information

Nintendo Famicom Disk System (FDS) is a device released by Nintendo that could be connected to Famicom console and allowed to play games from rewritable floppy discs. Despite the fact that the conventional ROM cartridges were quite convenient carries for the games in 1986, Nintendo released an accessory for the Famicom, called Family Computer Disk System. Famicom Disk System makes it possible to use a floppy disk with a capacity of 112 KB as a carrier for games. A distinctive feature of these discs was the possibility to rewrite the information on them. At that time, you could often find Nintendo Disk Writer – machines that were selling games for FDS. All you needed to do is to insert a floppy disk into the machine, throw a coin and pick a new game. In addition, some games were coming out exclusively for the Famicom Disk System, for example, the Japanese version of Super Mario Bros 2. Games price was about $3, while cartridges were 10 times more expensive at that time, and the floppy disk for FDS have been selling for $10. Also FDS added additional “voice” for the sound. At one point, parts for cartridges became much cheaper which led to the lower price of cartridges. In addition, the floppy disks were not protected from bumps and folds, however Nintendo kept them until 2003.

Today you don’t have to worry about floppy disks, cartridges and even console. All you need is a computer, smartphone or tablet with ios or android and you can download for free Nintendo Famicom Disk System roms games and play them.